Torpedo-launching apparatus.



SMON LAKE, OF ILEORD, CONNECTICUT.

TORPED Q-LAUNCHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. ;'1910.

Application filed December 19, 1908. SerialNo. 488,352.

t or a submarine boat, which will perinit of thc discharge of the torpedoes from either hroadside oi thexessel when operating either above or below the surface of the water, and through such an arc thatt-he torpedoes may be directed toward an object without changing the course of the resse The invention consists in a deck structure containing thc torpedotubes, the mechanism for controlling the )osition of said tubes and the. mechanism lor controlling the discharge of the torpedoes boing arranged and 'controlled from below the deck, therebyv avoiding' exposure of the operators, and nieans being provided to prevent the aceidental discharge of the torped es when the discharge tubes are. in such, position that the discharge of the torpedoes would he liable to cause thein to Contact with the decl; connections of the vessel, and means for holding and guiding the torpedoes when discharged until the tails thereof are entirely free of the discharge tubes and until the Uln'ygears have obtained sutlicient' speed to coinrol the direction of the torpedoes and .sutlicient velocity to carry them away from the rcsscl. thereby avoiding all danger of contactwith the vessel or of fonlingthe adjacent torpedo whenthe first torpedo is discharged, especially Should they he discharged when .the Vessel is under may or in the presence of swift current.

The invention also consists of means to facilitate the handling of the torpedoes .when lining loaded into the tubes, and nieans to facilitate the removal of the torpedoes there` The invention also consists' of certain other devices, and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, as will he fully, set forth in the following specification and then pointed out in the claims. i

In the accoi'npanying drawings` illustrating the invention, in the several figures of `,vliieh like parts are similari)q designated,

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a portion of the deck oL a vessel illustrating the sition of my improved apparatus on the said deck; the doors of the housing arranged over the discharging tribes being in an open position. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section drawn through one of the torpedo tubes and throughs. portion of the deck of the vessel. Fie. 3 is a vertical cross-section drawn on the tine3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. #l is asimilar view drawn on the line 4-4 of Fir. 2. Fig. 5 is a. det-ail vertical lonfvitudinzil section drawn on the line,v 5 5 ota Fig. 8. Fig. t5 is a horizontal seotion drawn on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is ay detail perspective view illustrating the locking device for the tiring levers. F 1g. 8 is a vertical transverse section dr; n on the irregular line 8143 of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a detail vertical transverse section drawn on the line 9 9 of Fig. 2. Fig. l() is a. horizontal mation drawn through one of the torpedo tubes. Fig. ll is an end view of one of the pistons o the torpedo tubes, and Fig. 1Q is a side view o the. piston. Fig. 13 is an end view of one of the castings thatv are arranged at the ends of the torpedo tubes,

and l1 ig. lst is a side View of the saine. Fig. Y'

l5 is a horizontal section showing the means for supplying pressure fluid to the torpedo tubes. Fig. 16 is a pers ecti're view of one of the connecting devices for connectingthe .torpedo end -its dsehargiiw piston.

A designates the deck o 'avesseh of any character, and either for 'surface or submarine operation. In this deckis arranged a circular opening B, Fig. in which is tilted the. upper end of a c-flindrical tank or drum C having heads C and C2 fitted airtight therein near its ends, and adapted to .contain compressed air.' Secured to the upper end of the said tenir is an annular T- shaped casting D, which forms a support for a turn-table This turn-table as a short cylindrical sleeve E" provided with an annular flange e ad3acent to its lower end,

which rests upon a horizontal -portion d of the T-shaped castiri D. Secured to the extreme end of the s eeve E 1s an L-shaped retaining bracket e', which hears against the lower side of the portion J of the casting -and securely holds the said turn-table in po- -sition. The upper end of the sieve E formed with a flange e Whose peripheral. edge provided with rack teeth e3 which are engaged oy a pinion e* carried at theV iro upper end of a vertically arranged shaft that is Journaled at its upper end in a bear end of the tank or drinn (J, and is supported :it its lower end in a bearing c2 secured to the lower end of the said tank or drinn. A stalling box c is fornied in the hearing c to preventwater entering,l the vessel around the shaft. The lower end of the shaft is shown provided with a crank handle c by which it is revolved, but in practice it may be pro- Yvided with a gear. or a worin-wheel that is geared to and operated by a suitable niotor.

Mounted upon and securely fastened to other at thir abutting peripheral surfaces, as shown most clearly in Figs. 5 and tl. Dependingl from the base portion l1" is a hollow shaft G having a llange at its upper end` by gagcnient with the tube by a llanged ring j,

. l i to provide an air-tight joint to prevent the ing c piojccting rearwardly roni the upper e cape of air adiniited in the tube bail; of the piston. The rims j of the piston are designed to enter the recesses l of the eastingl when the. piston is niort-d to its extrenie forward position. 'l'hus these riinsand rcee.-.-'es forni dadi-pots to cushion and liniit the forward num-nient of the piston when the torpedo is discharged. vl'iarh piston has f two forwardly extending piston rods li, li,

and these rods extend l'roin diainetrically E opposite points slightly to one side of the vertical plane of the center of the piston. the'turntable 1S is a casting l?, 'having a base portion 1" and two parallel sleeve nieinbers lf2 which are connected to the base portion l1" by webs f and also connected to each 1 which it is connected to the said base portion, said llange surrounding an opening l formed centrally inthe base` The shaft (j extends downwardly through bearings tj' and G2 respectively in thc heads C and C? of the tank or ortun C. Gland rings y surround the shaft and lit into stalling Vboxes formed in the bearings G' and G2 to prevent iside, and with a hollow sirengtheninerib' the` escape of air from the tank or drinn.

'that portion of the shaft which is within the tank is. provided with a series of perforations g through which the air iii the tank passes into the shaft and thence to the torpedo tubes, as will be explained later on.

A torpedo tube H is held at its forward end in each of the sleeve members F2, and each tube has its: rear end closed by a head H. In the forward end of each sleeve nieni` ber and abutting the end of the tube therein is fitted :i cylindrical casting l, which is provided with opposite segmental recesses l foi-ined by concentrically arranged flanges l2 that project lroni an inwardly extending llange l'' orined at the front-end of the casting. lhe llange l3 of each casting has an annular forwardly extending llange z' which carries a packing-ring z" that snugly fits the torpedo to provide :i water-tiifht joint to prevent any water entering the tune when the torpedo is in position, and when the apparatus is installed upon a submarine boat.

Operating in each torpedo tnhe ll a piston J, haring a head j, segnirntal riin portions extending forwardly therefrom and a concentric ring provided with Y:slots arranged in the vertical and horizontal planea ot the center of the piston and designed to receive the tins of the tail ol' the torpedo (Figs. and l1) to assist in restrainino the torpedo from revolving in the tube an:A when beingr discharged therefrom. Each piston is provided with a pacliingriny j4 at its rear side, held in position and in en` .liach piston rod operates through a sluiting hox il' l'ornied in the llange l'd ot' the casting:r l; and each upper rod carries a shoe L at its forward end haring a .slot in iis lower side that is open only at the frontend of the shoe and lits over a T-'shaped lug z carried hy the toi-edo T. liach shoe is also formed willi a tlanged head l that lits in a guide slot m arranged in a .supporting and guiding arrn l projecting` from the forward edge of its adjacent sleeve nieniber l"2 of the casting l". 'the arms M are preferably formed integral with the said lsleeve nieinhers and are connected together by a web M', and each arm is fornied with :i lateral flange upon itsl outer Blf upon its upper side that extends throughout its length. '.l`he lower piston rods li arc also provided with guide shoes L', at their forward ends.y which have their lower surfaces provided with lateral flanges Z which g snugly lit in guide Slots N' forined in the upper surfaces of guide arins N that are pivotally connected at their -rear ends to lugs or ears u extendingr Lt'roni the forward Side of'v the base l" ot' the casting l". rl`he upper surfaces of the Ishoes L ai'e also provided with slots that are open at the loi-wa rd ends of the .shoes and lit over lugs t' dtpendingr 'from the lowes sides of the torpedoes.

`When the apparatus is'lying iii its normal positionf that is to say, when lying parallel with thc longitudinal axis ol? the vessel, the outer ends ol` the :irnis N are supported upon :i bracket i\"" extending` l'i'oin` the deck of the vessel. ln order to prevent the weight of the arnis falling upon the shoes L when the apparatusis. .adju.- ted toa tiring posi-v tion, at which linie the arins will be swung free o1" ila, said bracket, l employ supporting;- rod` t), t) .shown most clearly in Fig. 4. These rods have hooks o at their ends, the upper hooks inserted through short slots foi-ined in the web M' connecting the arins' llt scription of the operation of the apparatus. i The rods O of each arin N are connected b v f a oord or line Wire o which -holds them froni accidental displacement which otherwise might occur through the vibre-.tion of thei vessel when the latter is in motion, or, through Contact with the Water. These coi-ds until the torpedoes have been launched.

) designatesan air conduit through which the compressed air is conducted from the compressed air tank oi` drum C to the i'ezii' end of the torpedo tubes H hack of thc pis" tons. The forward 'end of the conduit is connected with a short pipeiP secured to or foi-ined integral with the base of the casting F and surrounding the opening therein which communicates with the hollow shaft G that extends through the tank C. To the rear end of the conduit P is connected a cup P1 having laterally extending pipe sect-ions if whose ends are connected to and surround openings ornie'd in the heads Hof the tubes H, and within the cap is :i partition p3 having openings tluit communicate with each pi e section p2 which are conA trolled by va ves p* whose stems ,115 are -extended forwardly through the conduit Pl und are connected to one end of elbow levers p pivot-ally held in the pipe section P adjacent to the `central opening therein. `Rods p are connected to the opposite ends of the levers p" and. extend downwarflhv through the shaft G and through the hemd g2 thereof and have their lower ends connected to levers .Q which are pivotally connected :it one end to brackets g depending from the head g2 o the seid shaft, und ut their opprisite or handle ends they :ire provided with upwardly and forwardly extendinvarnis Q5 which termin-.itc in nose portions o that :irc designed neng-.ige wedge shaped blocks lt curi-ind 'or' n sefinental slide hai' lt. Tl is' slide-hr is held in :i race-way fol-ined in a ring it: secured to the lower end of the tank (I. These blocks R' provide a locking :irrangement for one or the other of tho levers uccordingio'the direction in which thc torpedotuhe-s have been revolved, and thereby permits the discharge of the torpedoes in sequence only.

side of the vessel, the left hund tornado. which then becoincs the rear one. is always tired first, in order to avoid any possihilit v In other Words. should the tubes he adgusted to discharge from the )fort i of the rst torpedofouling the remainingl 5 one, and bydhesuse of the sliding blocks it will he readily understood that :is the tubes are swung around to a tiringv position` one or the other of the levers ivill bc freed from its block, but the other lever will ride up on its bkiek uniti snicient frictional contact has been secured, -u'hen it will push the block around in the `guide ivajv and thereby pre,- vent the levi-i' being accidentally Goenitz-sd. After the tirst' torpedo has been discharged the hlocl: is roche-d from engagement with its lever `vvhien then leaves it treo to he oper sited. To prevent any possibility of the levers being operated when Vthe tubes are lying iii :in inactive position, l provide cath lever with :in extension S, which extensions have their ends terniinatingy in Short nose portions s which tit over :i segmental har suspended from the lo er head ot the tnuu or drinn (j and, of such length that the nose portions will not. he disengaged thcretr: vi until the said levers have heen moved through zi vcertain are.

The entire portion of the apparatus above the decir of the vessel is inelosed by a housing l'. when in .fi position parallel with the longitudinal axis ol the vessel.- Phis housingrr isconstrncted with a top portion ll and sides C2 which mnverge :it their front :md reni' nds to a point, und the sides are provided with openings [I3 closed by doors l? -w iicli are hinged at their loivei' ends to open downwardly. 'the pintles of 'the hinges of the doors :ire provided with segmental rack hui-s 'i' which ero nicslied byworin Wheels Y carried cy a transversely aLl-:anged shufi l? join-:oiled iii brackets o depending i'roni the deel; of the Adjacent to one end o the. shaft is :i hevei geni' Y which is ineshel by :i similar geur Y carried at the upper und of :i vertically arranged shaft Vi whose upper end journuled in au extension oi `the bracket t' und its lowerend in a bracket depending from the deelt of the vessel. 'lie shaft V5 muy he. driven by any cui .do motor, but for convenience of illustration-i show it provided ivith a crank handle Fig. l for this purpose.

the tank or drinn C is supplied vit?.- eoinpr'ssed air through :i pip-3 it vv! icl. ex-

a suitable pump (not shown) carried l L the vessel.

in toning is formed in each ol' the tor pedo tubes il opposite to the charging' vulves of the torpedoes, so that acc t to the vulves niav bo had without nitliflriiiv'iner the tou git-noos from the tubes; and e hutch :ilse constructed in the top of the housing ogliosite o or in alinenient with the openings .-'Ji that iii-cess may he had to the openings ithout adjusting the said tubes. The openings in the tubes are closed nir tight hy suitable rovers L. v

lin the rear end 0f each torpedotnhe is a spring butter it to cushion and limit the rear mow-nient o1' the pistons J.

ln loading the torpedoes into the tubos, the doors of the housing are first loweredA l iii.)

forcing them to the forward ends of the tubes. A torpedo is then lowered (preferably by means of a'derriek) and adjusted into alinein'eiit willi either one of the tubes, the lugs upon the upper and lower sidesof the torpedo are then -titled into the slots in to those below the deck of the vessel by an the :shoes L and the torpedo pushed haelt into the tube until the lios of its tail enter the slots formed in the ring ot the piston.

come into close contactv with the. packing strip carried by the inwardly projecting tiaiige of the casting Iland an air tight joint 4 is secured.. The nipple h5 is then connected by a hose extending from a suitable pump to the'ins'ertion ot' the torpedo into the tubethe tripping link L, for trippingthe start- 'ing lever of the propelling mechanism of the torpedo, is elevated into a recess formed in a in the torpcdovtube, and after the torpedo has reached its rearniost position, the link is f allowed to drop down into engagement with the torpedo in front ot the tripping lever, with which the latter will engage when the torpedo is ejected. 'lfhe operation justdescribed is then repeated in loading the remaining tube. alter vwhich the tubes are :swung around to a position parallel with the longitudinal a, is of thel refs-e1. when they and the torpedoes will be completely within.

the housing, in which position the safety catches or nose portions of thc lever Q will be brought into engagement with the segmental locking bar and the leyers thereby prevented from being operated. so long as the tubes are within the housing. The doors of the housing are then closed to completely incase and protect both the tubes and thc torpedoes.

.lVhen it is desired to discharge-om or both of the torpedoc-4,o the tank is charged with air, the doors of the housing are iirst lowered. and the tubes then swung around to either sident-the ves-cl from which the torpedoes areto be lisehai'ged. 'l`he initial movement of the tubes will cause one of the nose portions ol" the levers to ride up on it block R and the other le'vei` to be discn i gaged from its block. thereby freeing only .one of the levers: and as the tubes are t'urvated th(- moment the command given. but '65 the other lever will push its block around in indicator hand g3 carried by the lower end of the shalt (ci and which operates around f an indicator dial i' projecting from the ring R25) the lever of the rear or after tube is The air in the tube is then released through a izilved nipple screwed into the head of i .the tube H. The torpedo is then piished ari ther into the tube until the sides thereof pulled down. which opens its valve and allows the air to escapeinto the rear end of the tube and push the piston outwardly causing. the shoes to engage the lugs if and 15 of the torpedo and forcibly eject the torpedo. During the i'irst movement of the torpedo, the tripping lever controlling the propelling mechanism. will be set,Y an( the string holding the propeller at the nose ot' the torpedo will be broken, and upon further movement the sides ofthe torpedo-will strike against the supportingr rods for the lower aria and knock them from position, which will permit the said arm to drop down out of the way and avoid any possibility of its fouling the torpedo. Thus, itwill be seen= that the said arni is held in a true horizontal position until the lower guide Shoe has travplate /r which surrounds an opening formed i its binding in the slot ot' the arm, thereby v permitting it to slide freely in the said slot. 'ln order that the lower arm may drop down as described, the lower rods are made in sections and connected together as shown at, :c Fig. l0, which permits the rods to break and their outer'cnds 'lrop down with the said arms. A

By reference to Fig. G it. will be seen that the segmental bar S' is of such length that it will be necessary to revolvethetuhesthrough an are oi il() degrees tocilher side ofthe longitudinal central line of tltcir normal o'r inactive position. which thus faves t() degree.` ahead aud astern where it will be impossible to discharge the torpedoes. ma? :Iii arc ol' lill' degrees on either bi'oadside of the vessel' through which the torpedoes may he discharged. thus avoiding all danger ol' thc accidental discharge ofthe torpedoes when the tubes are iii such position that the torpedoes would be liable to come into contact with the deck connections ot' the vessel.

Should it he desired to slowly remove the torpedoes from the tubes. withoutI 'fear ot' tht` danger incidental to the use of air. l provide means whereby they may he withdrawn from thc tubes by hydraulic pressure, and to this cud l connect a hose'to the nipple /r and thcu force enough water into the tubes until sufficient pressure has been brought to bear upon the pistons to force them torg wardlv and gradually push the torpedoes from the tubes. The tubes ll are' provided with drain cocks /1 by which the water thus` forced into the tubes may be withdrawn'.

X designates a'braeket secured to the un therein during the fu l stroke ofi ihc piston f l u shoes carried by sein rods .and prevu edwith senese 5 derside of the top of the housine U, and

haring a stud boltv X', Fig. 9, swiieed tlierein, and arranged in, vertical alineinent with the center of the turn-table E and connected to a bracket carried by the casting i? at the top thereof'.

all the strain being iniposed upon the turn table when the tubes are revolved.

Fromthe foregoing it will be seen that I provide :in exceedingly simple apparatus that is equally adaptable for use upon surface or submarine torpedo boats, and When installed upon the latter the housing U will protect that portion of the mechanism 'rranged above the deck from the strain iniposed thereon by the movenient of the vessel through the water, and by the currents, which w nld be apt to injure the gearing or other parts of the mechanism.

What l claim is l. .ik torpedo discharging apparatus, comprising a. torpedo tube, a piston operating in said tube, means ca rried by seid piston to engage the bodyl of a tor edo held in the tube, and means to supply liluid pressure boel: of seid piston solelgy and confine such pressure within the tube back ot' the piston for the foil length of the stroke/of said piston in ejecting the torpedo. v i

'2. .i torpedo discharging apparatus, coin-- prising ii torpedo tube, a piston arranged in said tube, ineans carried by said piston to engage thc body of a torpedo placed in the tube, means to guide the said torpedo bod); enifaging means, and niciin's to sappig;y 'pres` sure back of the piston only, such presure being confined within the torpcdotube back of the piston 'for the full lengrtiof the stroke of the pistou in ejecting the torpedo from the tube.

3. A torpedo discharging apparatus, for use on decir, comprising a torpedo tube, a

This arrangement provides a Stcadying support. for the tubes and prevents f l i l l i pistou operating in said tube and adapted to engage the tins of a torpedo, means carried by said piston for engaging the body of :i torpedo to aid in ciecting 1t trom said tube,

guides for the said nieans, and means i`or admitting a lluid under pressure into the E tube back of the said piston and contining it to more said piston and its attached torpedo engaging nieans to discharge the torpedo from the tube into the water.

4. A rcvoluble. tor )edo discharging apparatus, for use on decir, comprising a torpedo tube, a piston operating therein und adapted to engage the tins ot .fr toi'pcdo, means carried by said piston for positively ciwaging the body of a torpedo to aid in intro-eucing it into and ejecting it from the tube, means for admitting a fluid under pressure into the tube back of the said piston to force the torpedo from the tube, und ineens for actuating the tube arranged below the deck.

5. A. revoliiblc torpedo discharging api means for admitting a under pressure into the seid tiibe imei: o the piston to torce the torpedo from the tube, a dash pot at the forward "nd of the torpedo tube adapted for engag-ern'entr hp the piston, zind means tor revo; ng me tune.

7. revolube torpedo discharging apparatus, comprising n torpedo tube, e' piston operating ther-ein, rods extending from seid piston, ineens at the outer ends of the rods adapted to engage a torpedo held in said tube, guiding and supporting arms for the said means, Ine-.ins or admitting e. fluid .under pressure into the said tube back of said piston to force the torpedo from the tube, and means for revolving the tube.

S. .Y revoluoie torpedo discharging npperatus, comprising a torpedo tube, a. casting arranged et the forward end ot the tube and having ii packing ring adapted to snugly iii the body of a torpedoheid in the tube, e piston operationr in said tube, rolls carried by said piston n' iieh operate through stuffing boxes in the casting, guiding and supporting shoes carried bj; said rods, supporting an guiding arms having guide slots in which the said shoes operate, ineens for admitting ii liiiid into the said tube back of the piston to eject the torpedo, and means for revolving the tube. Y

A revoluble torpedo discharging apparatus, comprising a torpedo tube, a castin arranged :it the forward end o f the tube an barring ii pecking ring adapted to snugly ht the body ot" n torpedo held in the tube, e piston operating in said tube, rods carried hi' said piston which operate through stuiiing boxes iu tlie casting. guiding and su iporting ton adaoted to engage a torpedo held in the tube, means for condnctinv n tiuid tindexpressure tc the tube haelt o? the said piston to eject the torpedo, means zer controlling the admission of the Huid to the tube, means to prevent the operation of the said controlling means when the tube is iii an inacward position, an inwardly extendin Harige at the foi-ward end of the said casting and haring a packing ring adapted to snugly tit the body of the torpedo, rods carried by the sa id piston which operate in stutiing boxes on the said inwardly extending llauge of the said casting, guiding and supporting shoes cai'- i-cd by the .said rods and adapted to engage lugs carried by the torpedo when the piston is moved forwardly iii the tube, means for conducting a tluid nudir pressure to the tube back of the piston to torce it forwardtv in the tube. means for controlling the admission of the tluid te l'or revolving the tube.

l2. revoluhte torpedo discharging apparatus, comprising a support, a turntable mounted thereon. a casting mounted upon the' turntablel` a torpedo tube carried by the casting, a piston operating in said tube, rods pinna-ting t'rointhc piston and having shoes at their forward ends adapted to engage lugs` carried by a torpedo, a guiding and supporting arm for one of the said shoes, a guidingr arm t'or the other shoe, means for conducting a llud under pressure to the rear end of the tube hack of the piston, a valve for controlling the admission of the fluid to the tube, means for operating the Valve, means for preventing the operation of the valve when thc said tube is in an inactive position. and means for revolving the said turntable.v p

i3. A revoluble torpedo discharging a' paraius. comprising a support, a turntab e mounted thereon, a casting carried by said turntable, a torpedo tube held b tbc cast,- ing, a -piston operating in said tu e, a guiding and supporting arm extending from the upper forward edge of the said casting and having a guiding slot; in its lower surface, a guiding arin pivotallylield at its rear end to the lower forward edge of the said casting and having a guide slot in its upper surface, rods carried by the said piston, shoes secured to the ends. of the rods and adapted to operate in the slots of the said arms and provided with slots adapted to tit over tianged lugs carried by a torpedo held in the said tube, means for applying prestlie tube, and means f sure back of the piston toeject the tor ineansfor supporting the outer end o l ot' the Huid to the tube,

the said rods and adapted to engage aV tor 1.00

edo, the pivoted arin and adapted to be engaged by the torpedo to permit the said arm to drop as and for the for revolving the said turntable.

Alst. A rcoluble torpedo discharging a paratus, comprising a support, a turntab e mounted thereon, a casting connected to the turntable, a torpedo tube carried by the said castiiig, a hollow shaft connected to the casting, a conduit communicating at one end with said hollow shaft and :it-its opposite end with the said torpedo tube, a piston 0pcrating 'in the said said piston for engagement with a torpedo held in said tube, means for supporting and guiding the .said engaging means, means for conducting a tluid under pressure to the said hollow shaft from which it passes through 35 the said conduit to the reaijend of the said tube, agvalre for controlling the admission a lever operatively connected to the valve, means for locking the lever4 when the said tube isin an inac- 90 tive position, and means for revolving the turntabie and thereby disengaging the locks ing means of the said lever when the said tube has been adjusted to an active position.

D paratus, comprising parallel torpedo tubes,

a revolublc support for the said tubes, a piston operating in each tube, rods carried.

lsaid pistonsa shoe carried by each of 15. A revoluble torpedo discharging appedo held in each of the tubes, guiding and supporting arms for the shoes, means for conducting a tiind under pressure to the rear ends of the said tubes back of the said pistons, valves for controlling the admission of the .tiuid to the tubes. levers-operatively connected to the said valves, means vto pre.- vent the operation-of the levers When the said tubes are in an inactive position,'and

means engaging one of the said levers when the said tubes have been adjusted 'to an active position, thereby permitting the iiscliarge of the torpedoes in sequence only.

.16. A revoliiblc torpedo discharging ap- )aiatus coni )risinff a su )iort a turntable 11 l v s t a portion connected to said turntable, torpedo tubes carried by said casting. castings conmounted thereon. a casting having a base nected to the first mentioned casting and-,iA arranged at the ends ofitlie torpedo tubes, l

packing rings carried by said .sc-cond meiltioned castings which are designed to engage the sides of torpedoes held in their adjacent tubes.V pistons operating in said tubes, rods carried by the pistons, a "shoe l.

connected to the end of each rod and adapted to engage the torpedo in its tube, a hol.- low shaft connected to the base of the said firs mentioned casting and Surroundingan opening therein, a conduit communicating 13( purpose specified, and nieans 7otube, means carried by 80 at one end with said shaft, a cap connected to the opposite end of the conduit: and hav ing branch pipes connected with the ends of the said tubes, meansfor conducting a fluid under pressure to said hollow shaft, valves for controlling the admission of the iiuid to the branch pipes of the said cap', levers operatively connected to said valves, means for preventing the operation of the said levers when the said tubes are in an inactive position, and means engaging one of the levers when the said tubes have been adjusted to an active osition to ermit ofthe operation of the sai levers to in sequence only as specified.

17. A revoluble torpedo dischar ing apparatus, comprising parallel torpe o tubes,

-a piston operating 1n each tube, rods carried by each piston, shoes carried by said rods and adaptedto engage a, torpedo in its tube, guiding andsupporting arms for the shoes, means for conducting a tiuid under pressure to the said tubes back of .the said pistons, valves controlling the admission of the tiuid to the tubes, levers operatively connected to said valves, extensions :formed upon the levers, a slide bar having wedge shaped blocks which are engaged by the said extensions, a support, for the said slide bar, nose portions 'formed on the extensionsof the levers, 'a segmental bar adapted for engagement by the said nose portions when the tubes are in an inactive position, and means forrex-'olving the. said tubes to release the .saidlevers as specified.

18. A revoluble torpedo discharging apparatus, comprising a compressed air receiving tank, a turntable mounted thereon, a

casting having a base connected to the said turntable, a hollow shaft depending 'from the base of the said casting and surrounding :in opening therein and which extends through the heads of the said tank, bearings for the shaft secured to the heads of said tank, torpedo tubes connected to the said casting, a piston operating in cach tube, means carried by each piston to engage a torpedo in its tube, guides for the said means, aconduit communicating at one end with the saidA hollow shaft and having a cap at its oppo site end, branch pipes extending from said cap and connectedto the ends of theA said tor edo tubes, means or'conducting "air un er ressure to said tank from which it passes Vinto the said hollow shaft through a soharge the torpedoes series of perforations formed thereim'valves for controlling the admission of the air to the said torpedo tubes, levers operatively connected to said valves, means to prevent the operation of the levers when the torpedo tubes are in an inactive position, and means for revolving the said turntable to adjust the torpedo tubes to an active position, which movement also releases the locking means of the levers as specified.

19. revoluble torpedo discharging apparatus for torpedo boats, comprising parallel torpedo tubes, pistons operating in said tubes, means carried by each piston adapted to engage a torpedo held 1n its tube, means for conuucting a iiuid under pressure to the said tubes, means ttor controlling the admission of the liuid to the said tubes, a housing adapted to inclose the tubes and having openings in the sides thereof, doors for the openings, means for 'opening and closingthe doors, and means for revolving the said tubes so that their ends will project through the said openings.

20. A revoluble torpedo discharging apparatus for torpedo boats, comprising parallel. toipedoptubes, pistons operating in said tubes, means carried by each piston adapted for engagement with a torpedo held in its tube, ineens for conducting a iiuid under pressure to the rear ends of the said tubes, means for controlling the admission of the iuid to the tubes, a housing adapted to inclose the 'tubes when said tubes are in an inactive posit-ion, door openings in the sides of the housing, doors for the openings, a segmental rack bar connected to the pintle of the hinge of each door, a shaft having worm Wheels which mesh withthe said rack bars, a beveled gear carried by the shaft, ashaft having a beveled gear which meshes with the first mentioned beveled goal-,means for voperating the last mentioned shaft, and means forrei-olving the said torpedo tubes to project their ends through the openings in the sides of the housing when the said doors have been opened.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set myhand this 14th day of December A. D. 1908.

SIMON LAKE. 

